Kimberly A. Cook

Warrior Tales

Writing FAQs

Learning to write means taking the same steps you learned to drive or play football or read. You start as a beginner and work at it. Anyone can write. It takes practice and persistence. It can be done. I have put an entire writing course in the first thirteen chapters of my non-fiction book, Do Bar Fights Count? How To Write Your Military Stories. Everyone is a warrior in today's world, from the military veteran to the single working mom. We all have valuable stories we want to write and express and leave for our families. Get started today. I know you're a writer. Do you?

Q: How do I get to be a published writer?A: Write. Rewrite. Read. Edit. Write. Submit. Get rejected. Write. Go to classes and conferences. Read. Rewrite. Repeat. Or publish your own work, write for free to get clips, volunteer to do a church newsletter. They all count. Being published brings another level of challenges. The way other book authors describe it to me, it's a lot like having teenagers. Consider yourself warned.

Q: I have a great story I want to tell you and then you can write it.A: No thank you. As my novel writing teacher Dee Lopez always said, "Anybody can talk a story. Writing it down is something else." Thanks for the offer, but I have more than enough ideas of my own to write about. Too many actually. Write it yourself. You can do it!

Q: What writing books do you recommend?A: Besides Do Bar Fights Count? How To Write Your Military Stories, see the book store tab upper left for my Favorite Writing Books.

Q: How can I find time to write?A: Quit watching tv.* Get off the couch. Put your butt in the chair and write. Hide from your family, friends, co-workers, and enemies. Tell people you're going "golfing, fishing, or snipe hunting." Think in terms of a clandestine military maneuver with computer or paper. Get a Pocket PC with a portable keyboard and pretend you're working. I have found lowering my house cleaning standards also frees up time. (* This does not include the NFL season. Go Raiders!)

Q: Why is writing so hard sometimes?A: Because it is. I hear it takes a few days to learn to drive a tank too. Skills get better with practice.

Q: Can I be a writer?A: Absolutely. See the five questions above.

Q: Who does your web site?A: Scrat. See the About Warrior Tales® page.